Council and district news

Post Office branch closes

A Post Office branch in South Staffordshire has announced its closure.

Blakeley Post Office in Giggety Lane, Wombourne, closed on December 31st.

A statement from The Post Office said: “We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, following the resignation of our current partner, The Co-operative Food, and the withdrawal of premises for Post Office use, the branch closed on Saturday, December 31st, 2022.

“Please accept my apologies for the late notification on this occasion. I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.”

For the full statement, click here

Climate Emergency: A guide for residents and businesses

South Staffordshire Council has published an information pack for residents and businesses regarding the climate emergency.

The pack can be downloaded from the council website here and is full of useful tips and advice for residents and businesses alike, with practical guidance on how we can all reduce our carbon footprint.

The pack also showcases the work that the council is doing to reduce the effects of climate change through our own operations, as well as the work of  key local partners.

For more information, click here

Covid vaccination clinic

A Covid vaccination clinic is taking place in Penkridge next week.

The Penkridge Fire Station clinic is for those aged over 12 and will run on Monday, January 9th, from 11am to 4pm.

Penkridge Fire Station is located in Boscomoor Lane.

Please be aware Covid-19 vaccination clinics may be limited to an allocated number of vaccines. Vaccines will be given on a first come, first served basis. Clinics may close early if all allocated vaccine has been used.

More information can be found at: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Community is the Best Medicine fund

A fund has been set up to assist households which may be faced with challenging choices due to the rising cost of living.

The scheme is run by South Staffordshire Council, in partnership with the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) and The Staffordshire Community Foundation.

Find out more about the scheme and how to apply via this link

South Staffordshire attractions shortlisted for awards

A number of businesses and attractions in South Staffordshire have been shortlisted for the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food Awards 2023.

More than 95 entries from across the county of Staffordshire have been whittled down for the next stage.

The winners will be announced live at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Rebecca Wood, on Thursday, March 9th, at Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent.

Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will progress to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2023.

Those shortlisted from the district include:

• The Granary at Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard
• Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard
• Play@ Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge

Council job vacancies

• Enterprise Programme Officer, closing on January 15th.
• Health and Safety Advisor (Corporate), closing on January 8th.

All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our new recruitment site: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/vacancies

Leisure latest

Kickstart 2023 with South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres

South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres provide everything you need to get fitter and improve your health and wellbeing.

The leisure centres offer a huge range of exercise classes, fully equipped gyms, toning suites featuring Easytone and Powertone beds and chairs which are perfect for losing inches and improving muscle tone.

The leisure centres also have swimming pools which provide a range of adults only, family and general public swimming sessions.

For more information on facilities available visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure

The leisure centres are open to both members and non-members. For details on memberships, visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/leisure/memberships.cfm

Refurbishment works continue at Cheslyn Hay and Wombourne Leisure Centres

Last year, the leisure centres underwent a series of planned refurbishment works which saw a new gym installed at Codsall Leisure Centre, and a new entrance, reception area and gym at Penkridge Leisure Centre.

The upgrades are set to continue this year with works continuing at Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre to upgrade the swimming pool, changing rooms, entrance and reception.

The swimming pool at Cheslyn Hay is due to re-open later this month.

The refurbishment of Wombourne Leisure Centre’s pool changing rooms, entrance and reception started last year, and work has now started to upgrade the pool hall.

Wombourne’s swimming pool is currently closed and due to re-open early spring.

Partnership updates

Bird flu update

Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ).

By law you must follow strict biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

In England and Wales the AIPZ also means you must house your birds to protect them from bird flu.

Find out more information on the latest situation, plus how to spot and report bird flu, via this link

Better Health: Quit smoking

Thousands of others have quit smoking and you can too – make this January your fresh start.

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health – and the sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice improvements to your health.

On average a smoker could save £38 a week by quitting smoking. That’s around £2000 a year.

For tips and support to quit smoking, search “Smoke Free” or visit the Better Health Quit Smoking website: Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS (www.nhs.uk).